Tree in Autumn

This morning, in the fitful, early light,
Beyond the near, familiar scene, I saw,
Beyond the cherries, pines and copper beech,
Beyond the pitch of roofs, a further tree,
Distant, unmarked before, which now emerged,
Shining against grey cloud, ethereal,
Its thinning leaves light green and touched with gold.
Its fragile beauty, knocking at my heart,
Spoke of mortality and human lives,
Bearing bright flowers, though destined for the dark,
And seeds to ripen for eternity.